2015 Folding Bike Trends

A premonition of doom and gloom.. 

Economists say that 2015 would be a year of economic depression. The signs are obvious. Low oil prices, weakening currencies all over the world and the list goes on. Malaysia has never recovered from the economic slowdown since 1997. The clear indicator is our currency's value. Despite all that, we persevered and actually shown good spirits. But the days of free-spending may be over.

The top five

From a handful to thousands on the road, the growth of folding bikes in Peninsular Malaysia is phenomenal. 
There are more multi-modal commuters now compared to five years ago and retailers have seen a spike in demand for folding bikes. 
Thanks to aggressive marketing and true fan-boys spreading the good word about their bicycles to newcomers. 
Basically, folding bikes appeal to people over the age of 35 and it's rather encouraging to see senior citizens splurging on mid-range and high-end products that are offered in bicycle shops. Well, these are the people with the cash in hand and the purchasing power compared to hipsters that are perpetually broke. 

Tern

This four-year-old bike company from Taiwan is still making headway with their range of products for 2015. 
Here in Malaysia, we will see the N-series bikes (built for Asian riders) hitting the market by the first-quarter.
Other than that, their Verge-series bikes are tremendously souped-up with makeovers to appeal for the younger group. 
The principle remains that we get good bikes that are reliable, so, Tern is not so caught-up in developing different folding methods than what they've already have. 
A couple of design awards have proven the company's commitment to producing the best products in the market.
I for one, am pretty stoked that the Verge S27h (this variant is designed for long commutes and touring) is heading to Malaysia.

Tern's 20" touring bike: Verge S27h

Dahon

Despite some hits and misses over the last two years, this 30-year-old company continues to innovate.
They are making good with bikes that are packaged with better components to woo back customers. 
Highly noticeable, are the new 'vertical folding' technology bikes such as the Dahon Eeze, Jifo and Qix.
We are expecting to see some of Dahon's 2015 bikes in November, but due to logistic issues, these bikes are still stuck in the port. 
At least five new models are expected to hit our shelves by the first-quarter of 2015.
Picking up from where the old distributor had left off, the new player involved with the sales and distribution of Dahon would have a daunting task winning the hearts and minds of new buyers as competition is getting stiffer by the year.

Hoping to recapture lost territories: Dahon's innovative Qix D8 

 Pacific Cycles

There's no doubt that Pacific Cycle's Birdy is one of their best-sellers in Malaysia. Sales of the Birdy was so impressive, the company's founder George Lin had quietly snucked into the country for an unofficial visit to their distributor in the Klang Valley.
Birdy also enjoyed aggressive marketing by having their own event supported by a local car distributor.
But, with a premium price of RM3.8 for a basic model with bikes shooting over RM12k after heavy modifications. it would be an uphill task to maintain sales and solicit new buyers in 2015 after the Goods and Sales Tax takes effect.
Despite that, there's really nothing new for Birdy as the basic design of the bike remained pretty much the same.

The Birdy classic is a winner in its own arena

KHS

Though they have been around, no brand rose as fast and high as the KHS bikes over the past 12 months.
With an official distributor and an aggressive price point, KHS started to kick some serious butt to make their way to the top-5 of "who's who in the folding bike brands" here in Malaysia.
Why? Because you can get a made in Taiwan frame for RM1,650 with some pretty basic components.
It's the KHS JJ 8-speed bike that shouted: "Game on!" with its value for money factor.
Although it doesn't fold as fast and well as other top bikes in the market, KHS demands a steady following by honoring their customers with decent components and an excellent built-quality. I think they will continue to do well way into 2015 if they can keep up the good and fair pricing factor. 

The KHS Westwood is a full-suspension folding bike an unbeatable value

Raleigh

Mention "beginner" or "my first folding bike", Raleigh's Ugo will come to mind.
At RM800 a piece, it's the cheapest folding bike one can get in the market. It's even cheaper in the secondary market with prices dipping below RM500. 
Though Raleigh is not known for producing folding bikes, they entered the fray a few years ago and are doing pretty well.
The Ugo is a 7-speed no-frills bike with entry-level components that you either love or hate.
It's basically aimed at people who are unsure of their choices or those who wanted to give things a try before they commit to better products.

The Ugo, still going strong..

Bikes from the Motherland..

China impacted our market for entry-level bikes in a drastic manner. They've changed the game by breaking the monopoly once held by European and North American manufacturers.
With this in mind, we get plenty of choices with bikes that are affordable. But, there is a catch. Not everything is at it seems if you examine the details.
We have Trinx bikes that goes as low as RM700, offering unbeatable value. No doubt that you pay nearly three times as low, but these bikes are not built to last.
There's the XDS brand of folding bicycles, some: asking as high as RM1,750 for a 20" folding bike. 
They are packaged with disk brakes and entry-level Shimano components. If you are not observant and are vulnerable to salesman's charm, you might end up paying for stuff that you don't need.
Many beginners are suckered into believing that disk brakes signifies that their bikes are high-end performance machines. Don't be duped. What you get, are mechanical disk brake systems that can be quite a chore to maintain. Real bikes uses a hydraulic system which costs as much as the bikes.

Other brands

Do a "Google Search" for "folding bikes" and "Malaysia" and you might get some answers.. 

The good, the bad and the ugly..

Personally-speaking, I don't think that the implementation of the GST would impact the prices of bikes here in Malaysia. It's an additional 5-7% to the retail price. But seeing as it is, we are fearless free-spending Malaysians who think outside the box. So, if you ask me, well, don't worry and be happy.
We may think that there's not enough choices in terms of select models, but the Malaysian market is slowly maturing.
With the new LRT line extension in the Klang Valley, sales of the folding bike is set to soar. That said, do be courteous when you board the train. Bag your bike. Don't be a hooligan and an ass to other train passengers.

The First Impression...

Mr Pink's reaction on folding bikes

Some folks live under a rock.
They are so set in their ways, its hard to conform to 'new ideas'.
I met a guy, Mr Pink recently who said he couldn't believe that I've done some century rides on my folding bike.
"You mean, you rode on that piece of crap? Is it safe ah?"
To Mr Pink, folding bikes are flimsy, handles poorly and are usually made of crap.
He could not comprehend the size of the wheels and a bike that folds in half.
"I don't think these bikes can last, I trust only bicycles with large wheels," he said.
Mr Pink insisted that he had never heard of folding bikes as an alternative for mobility and transportation.
He argued that such bikes are dangerous.
Then, came the magical question: "Eh, how much you paid for your bike ah?" 
So, I revealed the amount and got a mouthful from him about spending beyond my means.

Taking in the truth 
I told Mr Pink that he didn't pay for my bikes, nor did I owe him a fucking living.
"Look, just one bike costs more that the three pieces of shit bicycles in your household. 
"You cycle a few hundred meters in your housing estate and complain that the bike is no good, how can you shoot off your mouth with words coming out of your ass?" 
Mr Pink was dumbfounded. 
He didn't expect to be verbally raped.
The man thought that he was doing me a big favour by talking 'sense' by giving a lecture about the economics of scale.

Yeah, there are plenty of them out there..  
Mr Pink is just one of the many ignorant people who lives underneath a piece of rock. 
He is oblivious to the fact that there are factors like quality, fit and finish that made things good.
Obviously, the word: "High Performance" does not exist in his vocabulary.
After much research, he called me one day.
"Eh Samo, I want to get a new bike...
"Its a folding bike with suspension. Okay ka? 
I asked him if he was serious, he said 'yes' and told me that he had been thinking hard.
It sparked off with a visit from a neighbour who was riding his folding bike.  
"Eh, my neighbour came by, he was cycling a Dahon bike. Its very steady la...
"I want to get one, can recommend ah?"
I knew that somehow, his enthusiasm was just a bag of hot air.
He rang me up again, this time, from a bike shop in Bangsar.
"Hey Samo, this bike, the Jetstream P8, I like it la, but its damn fucking expensive!
"You know where I can get a cheap one ah?"  
I told him that if he wants something cheap, he can go to Giant Hypermart.
"Ah, there's a full-suspension folding bike at Giant, cheap-cheap!"  
Mr Pink was very excited with the prospect of scoring a new full-suspension folding bike and made his way to the said location.
Then, he rang me up again.
"Eh Samo, fuck you la! You think I am an idiot kah? 
"Why you recommend me a cheap ass bike?"  
I told Mr Pink to calm down. 
"But you wanted cheap right? The bike is a folding bike with suspension right?"  
He paused for a while.
Then, he said: "I want something like that Dahon la! RM250 with full suspension, I thought the quality is the same!"  
Mr Pink said I should reimburse him with petrol money and a meal for his family because I wasted his time.
Obviously, he was not in a mood to joke. He was dead serious.
All Mr Pink wanted, was a high performance bike for RM250.
I told him to dream on. He could drop dead 100 times and get resurrected 200 times all over again, he would never get what he wants.
"Why don't you crawl back to your fucking cave a sulk you fucking loser!" 
Everything he had ever hoped for was dashed.
But hey, the full-suspension foldie in Giant is still waiting.. And it will never get stale...  

Folding bikes for the beginner Part 1

Riding my Dahon Jetstream EX

Questions, questions, questions... 
I've met many interesting people who wanted to know if they can get a suitable folding bike at their preferred budget.
"Eh Samo, you know where I can find a folding bike that is cheap and good? I can only spend RM600 ah!"
First thing first: Good quality folding bikes are never cheap.
There are plenty of choices out there ranging from a poorly-made foldie from the Hypermart with a retail price of RM250 a pop.
Would that suffice? 
Do you want to cycle something that is twitchy and unstable and with that constant fear that it would fail on you? 


Choices, choices, choices...
I know this for a fact: Nobody likes to get ripped off.
Sometimes, when you pay for the wrong thing, you would regret it.
Word is, I am trying to 'Dahonize' newbies and experienced foldies and my impression of bikes like Bromptons are a piece of overpriced crap.
The Brommies will kill me. So, let it be.
There are many bikes out there with pricetags ranging from RM250 to RM25K. 
That is a fact.
If you expect performance from a cheap bike, then you are looking for things are the wrong places.
I've seen cyclists using a cheap frame with expensive components. That's what they could afford and if they are happy with it, I think its their prerogative.
There are bikes that are built for daily use and usually, these are entry-level bikes with basic components. 
These tend to wear out easily and are not built to last.
A good basic folding bike would be the Dahon ECO C7.
This one had gone through several improvements and is as tough as nails. It retails slightly over RM1K and is the bike you would want to cycle around your neighbourhood.


Better bikes..
I've been cycling my Dahon Speed P8 since 2009 and never had any serious issues with the bike.
As a matter of fact, it was 'getting it right the first time' that kept me going. Its a simple bike with an 8-speed transmission.
Premium-grade components were used on this bike and its one of the very few Chromoly frames around that can take some serious beating.
One guy asked: "Eh Samo, I am concerned about my image la... I look like a Circus bear cycling the Speed P8..."
My take on this: Folding bikes is for a different breed of cyclists. Image is never an issue.
The crust of the matter here is convenience.
You can fold it for carry on trains, stash it in your car and carry it wherever you want.
I use the term: 'Bike-packing' as the best example..
If you want the bang out of your buck, Dahon's Speed series are the ones that are worth considering.
Many folks prefer the Mu-series for its curveous frame. I think this is a bit too girle for my taste.
Although I feel that the Mu-XL is one of the best bikes Dahon has ever come up with, cost is a factor.
Some guys choked when they saw the price..
Another bike worth some serious consideration is the Dahon Curve SL.
Sadly, its no longer in production, so, if you can grab any 2011 edition, go for it.
Inspired by Bikepacking guru TT Siang and his wife Angela, this is one of the best 16" folding bike money can buy...


Full-swing
I've gone from 16" to 20" and had no plans to get any bigger bikes, although I have the urge to get the 2011 Dahon Flo. But that'll have to wait....
Way I see it, there is no ONE bike that does it all.
The Curves are used mainly for short distance commutes and rides. It can be comfortable for rides below 50km
I use my Dahon Speed P8 mainly for long-distance rides. To be exact: Touring.
Its been rigged with Ortlieb front and backrollers for some distance rides. So far, its the only folding bike in my keeps that has clocked more than 2,000km.
To get a better perspective on touring, I also purchased a Dahon Speed TR.
This was for my wife Michelle and has been used for some long-distance rides. 
To get the best out of it, we retro-fitted the saddles with gel inserts.
I am willing to pay for comfort and so far, the Speed series had never failed..

Lemon

A newbie who just bought his folding bike contacted me recently.
"Eh Sam ah, I just got myself a Ferrari folding bike..." 
My initial reaction was: "Wow! A Ferarri at a fraction of the price!"
He went to a dealer with the intent to purchase a Dahon, but was told that the bike is a piece of crap and that folding bikes that are licensed by car manufacturers are highly sought-after. 
As far as I've known, car manufacturers do not produce bicycles. But they do deal with premium companies and lend their brand as a licensed merchandise.
So, if you do come about brands like Saab, Renault, Rallyart, Chevrolet, Jeep and so on, chances are, their trademark were used by licensed merchandise manufacturers.
The frame and components are supplied by OEM companies because car manufacturers don't make bike parts. That is a fact.
So, that said, my newfound friend was very disappointed after being duped by the dealer who sold him the Ferrari. 
I told the dude that this is no case for despair.
"Ride it in good health and when you are ready, get a real bike. Get a Dahon.."
Yeah, seems like I am trying to Dahonise the guy by exorcising him with some Dahon sales talk.. But all good things said and done, its a learning curve. I hope he could recover from learning that he had been cycling a piece of lemon and move on.. 

Five most distinguished foldies in Malaysia

What I am going to mention, may trigger some reaction from the cycling crowd. 
Folding bikes have been around for a long time in Malaysia.
Its popularity had recently risen due to the hard work of certain individuals in promoting this class of bicycle.

1. TT Siang
- Architect by qualification, Mr Teoh is also an inventor specializing in solar panels. He started with an el cheapo folding bike and toured some countries in the Indo-China region and is a well-known bike-packer in the country. Siang recently led an expedition from Haadyai to Ko Lanta in Thailand. He has nearly a dozen folding bikes and can be seen cycling his Dahon Cuve SL and Mu SL.

 2. Bil Choy
- Mr Choy is one of the most experienced folding cyclist in Malaysia. 
With more than 20 years under his belt, this is one of the most distinguished foldie around. Choy is also one of the earliest cyclist to ride and commute with his Brompton folding bike and influenced many cyclists to follow suite.

3. Col (B) Azudin Fuad
- Pack leader of the Putrajaya Urban Riders, Col Azudin is responsible in the growing numbers of folding bike kakis in the township. He owns two Dahon bikes and is now getting a Brompton foldie shipped from the UK.

 4. Ng Chor Guan
- Music composer Guan is known for his London-Bonn trip. 
A well-respected foldie, he has a big following especially among newbies and the performing arts circle. Guan is one of the nicest foldies around.

 5. CS Wee
- Former Air Force man Mr Wee is living proof that 'Old is Gold'.
Commuting between his home in Kota Kemuning in Selangor and Butterworth, Mr Wee has plenty of experience riding his 2010 Dahon Speed P8 around the Northern states in Peninsular Malaysia...

Other noteworthy foldies

Ng Sek San - This famous landscape architect has a vast following especially among the greenies. His newly-formed guerilla cycliing group pledges to pour concrete on all the potholes around bike commuting routes in the Klang Valley. Let's hope this is not some hot-hot chicken shit thing...
Uncle FC Meng - Best-known for his KL-Beijing and BentontheAlps tour, Mr Meng had recently obtained a Dahon Expresso and can be seen cycling around some of the most exotic routes in the country...
KA Nordin - Encik Kamarul is also a distinguished sketch artist and is part of the Putrajaya Urban Riders. He now cycles a Brompton to work.
Pauline Lee - A rose among the thorns, Pauline owns a Moulton TSR and a Red Brommie. She had organised a few rides involving foldies like the '10-10-10' ride and the famous Jungle Railway Ride. 
Andrew Sia - The Star's star cyclist. Sia popularized folding bikes with his well-researched article that appeared in Star2 recently and his Ko Lanta report is expected to be published this weekend....

Well, there are a lot more foldies out there who have formed their own groups and are actively cycling around the country. Hope to meet them someday!